Ahoy, Mateys it is that time of the year again, it's talk like a pirate day Arr! The origin of talk like a pirate day dates back over 20 years ago, starting on June 6^th 1995, by Ol' Chumbucket and Cap'n Slappy, (Formally known as John Baur and Mark Summers). But since June 6th is the anniversary of World War II's D-Day, in respect they move the day to September 19^th. Summer chose this day because he was recently divorced, and the date was his ex-wife's birthday, and was stuck in his head and wasn't going to do anything with it anymore He told CNN in 2009.

They wanted to start a holiday where fellow Buccaneers can have some swashbuckling adventures and dress up and talk like a pirate. They wanted people to take a break from all the day-to-day seriousness and just have fun; Even the most serious of Landlubbers would join in on the fun and unleash their inner pirate. They have even created a website that contains everything you want to know about their swashbuckling venture, and a kink to buy pirate related products.

This event was not big until 2002 when it received media attention from columnist Dave Barry; after his column came out, talk like a pirate day is now celebrated internationally by people of all ages and backgrounds; College students throw pirate themed parties to celebrate, there is even a pub crawl that brings out the pirates.

People would dress up just to have fun with their families. And now it has become a celebration around the world, teachers are reading pirate-themed books and throwing parties in class, school and local libraries dress up and encourage kids to read about pirates.

Social Media also gets in on it; Facebook has a whole page dedicated to how to talk like a pirate, and you can even change your language to English (pirate) in the drop-down menu, YouTube has videos of the pub crawl and people just celebrating,

There are so many ways you can celebrate, study new words and phrases to improve your pirate slang. Create your own treasure map and go on a swashbuckling adventure of your own. Throw a party and make sure to have enough rum on hand for ye older pirates. Adopt a pirate name and make sure that people call you by that all day, Watch some of your favorite pirate movies. And read about real life pirates.

Talk like a pirate day is not just about fun, it is a major fundraiser for Childhood Cancer Support. Many people dress up and visit the children's ward at local hospitals to cheer up sick kids; even the staff dresses up in this fun celebration. So on this day, we not only become pirates but we help young pirates in need.

Here at East Carolina University, we are pirates year round and we show it through our colors, songs, and pride. So let's hoist our Jolly Roger flags and drink up me hearties yo ho.